Scots law

Scots Law (or Scottish Law) is the Law of Scotland.

After the Union with England, Scotland retained its unique legal system. The Scottish system is based on the Roman law or civil law, the English inspired common law and native custom. Unlike most civil law jurisdictions, Scots law is uncodified.

Legal System

Not Proven Verdict

The Scots Legal system is unique in have three possible verdicts for a criminal trial: guilty, not guilty and not proven. The meaning of the not proven verdict in unclear. Officially it is an alternative to not guilty and the defendant is cleared with no allowance for a re-trial. However the not proven verdict is often taken by juries and the media as meaning "we know he did it but there isn't enough proof".

Courts in Increasing Order of Superiority

• Criminal Courts
  • District Court
  • Sheriff Court
  • High Court of Justiciary
• Civil Courts
  • Sheriff Court
  • Court of Session
    • Outer House
    • Inner House
  • House of Lords

See Also

• English law (also applies to Wales)
• European Union Law
• List of United Kingdom topics
• Udal Law
• Feudal law

External Links

• Scottish Courts Website
• A Scots Law Guide